FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
About The Lota Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Lota Small Business Loans
Lota unsecured loans provides the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is how is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary business loan?
The application to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or on the phone. You’ll receive an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an interest rate per annum along with other charges and fees. This business loan is a cash-based loan therefore you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any interest, fees or charges. Then, it is broken down into either a daily or weekly payment amount.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used to fulfill almost every company reason, such as the management of cash flow, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, for general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available for personal purposes.
About larger Lota Business Loans
What is the Larger Lota Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger amount of loan to help business expansion opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a fixed-term with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are weekly or fortnightly to work with your situation.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
This Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee which is calculated at 2.5 percent of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a loan that is this large, your business needs to have been in operation for at least 3 years, and have an annual income of at least $700,000. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able of proving at minimum 12 months of business.
What can I use the funding for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company renovations, purchase of equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to obtain funding above $150,000. This is by way of charge on assets, and may include registration in the PPSR or the registration of as a caveat.
A director’s or personal guarantee is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally based rather than stipulating the security for a particular asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a central, national online register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It reflects security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including goods or assets). The PPSR permits prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted according to the date the security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal form of document to provide the legal claim to property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250,000 we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to simplify the process. We might be able to do this without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is made based on an initial assessment that includes you answering some financial health questions. It’s not an offer or guarantee of financing. Unconditional approval is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer that you may receive may be based on different conditions.
The application process
Can I be eligible for funding?
You may be eligible for a business loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months worth of trade (for the unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Just fill out the online application within a couple minutes, and a dedicated business loan specialist will call you to guide you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s License) along with an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll require:
$100K-$250K: Application details including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if the loan is greater than $150K).
$250K to $500K: Details of the application, including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statement and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, as well as interim financials from the current financial year, Aged Payables and Aged Receivables summaries.
How quickly will I receive an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K up to $100,000) We can usually provide an answer within an hour if you make your application within standard business times and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision within 1 company day.
For the Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be likely to provide you with a conditional pre-approval in around six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval, however this may be quicker depending on the particular circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way would be to ensure you apply during normal business hours, and allow us to use the advanced bank verification system link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you opt to upload copies of your bank statements it may take a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we can often provide an answer within one hour, provided you make your application at standard business timings and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to upload copies of your banking statements, we’ll be able to provide the decision within 1 business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to offer you with a conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will require to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain transactions have received approval in less than 24 hours.
The fastest method for you to apply is make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advance bank verification to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you choose to send us the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
What’s the minimum amount I can borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a specific amount we take into consideration a range of factors that determine how much we can lend you well-being for your business and the level of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your company.
If you apply for a specific amount we consider a variety of aspects to determine your health for your company as well as the amount of the repayments your company is able to afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics that are unique to your company.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an company loan?
If you decide to request one of our business loans, we will assess the risk profile for your company and provide you with a customised offer that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. A company loan is an upfront priced loan so you will be aware of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What determines the amount I will be charged?
Business loan interest rates depend on a variety of variables like the amount to be borrowed, the company assets the funds are used to purchase as well as the field the company is in, how long the company has been in operation, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and overall health or creditworthiness of the business.
What are the cost?
There are no hidden costs for our company loans. You’ll know precisely how much it is that you be required to pay, and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding interest and the loan comes with no additional fees (as as you make your payments punctually).
We don’t charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with no cost upfront or commitment to apply.
The Origination Fee is the cost associated with the setting up and management of the loan. This is only a fee if you proceed with the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5 percentage of the loan amount.
Can I pay out the loan early?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan in full at any time.
If you are deciding to do this please speak to our friendly business credit experts. The specialists will provide you with the details of your repayment and an early payment figure. This is calculated as the sum of the principal amount remaining and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment, plus 1.5% of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What is the process for repayments?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align with your cash flow cycle we provide payments that are either weekly or daily. They are automatically deducted from your nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being upfront about how we collect data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is crucial and a vital part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We make use of industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 qualified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We employ an exceptionally sophisticated banking verification system to instantly confirm your bank account information online so we can provide quick responses.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where a company owner utilises an asset they own to secure the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home, or it could be a business asset such as a truck or other piece of machinery.
The majority of the lenders including the banks with the biggest size, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan then the asset could be sold by the lender. In essence it’s an opportunity to secure new financing using the worth of the asset you already own.
Do I need security to secure an company loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, it is not necessary to secure assets before you are able to access the money however, we do require an individual guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security will never be needed. For loans of over $150,000 generally, there is an individual guarantee and security is provided in the form of charges on assets.